57. Cope

57

COPE

THREE WEEKS LATER

A knock sounded on my door, and I scowled at the wood plank. “Come in.”

It swung open, a familiar figure filling the opening. “You’d think a guy who got a second chance at life would sound a little happier. Joyful, even.”

The scowl pointed in Linc’s direction only deepened. “You try being stuck in bed for almost a month and having every member of your family hovering over your every waking move.”

Linc’s lips twitched as he crossed to the chair positioned near my bed. “Well, you did rip a hole right through your chest. It makes sense they’re worried about you. Because, for some reason, they love your surly ass.”

He had a point, and I grumbled as much under my breath.

Linc chuckled as he sat. “Plane’s fueled and ready to take you guys to Seattle. I also conveniently left dossiers on five different locations for The Mix Up’s Seattle location. ”

God, I was lucky to have him as a boss and a friend. “You know you didn’t have to do that.”

Linc arched a brow. “I’m not an idiot. I know a good business opportunity when I see one. And I’ve tasted Sutton’s baked goods. I’ll take her nationwide if she wants.”

I had no doubt. Linc’s business mind was unparalleled, but I only cared about Sutton and Luca being happy . They were making a big sacrifice, spending most of the year in Seattle with me so I could try to get back on the ice.

Sutton and I had gone around and around about whether it was a good idea or not. But I finally realized that I didn’t want things to end like this. I wanted a chance to finish what I’d started, which was reclaiming hockey as something that brought me joy.

“I might not be able to get it back,” I said quietly, finally voicing the fear that was swimming inside me.

Linc leaned forward, his gold watch glinting at his wrist, so incongruous with his hiking boots, jeans, and worn tee. “All we can do is give it our best shot. I’ve got the top rehab team in the Pacific Northwest ready to see you on Monday.”

I nodded, my back teeth grinding together. “I’m ready to really move. And I don’t mean these stupid walks down the driveway and back.”

“I bet,” Linc said. “Kye might’ve sent some colorful texts about having to help you to the bathroom those first few days at home.”

My scowl was back. “I’m going to kill him.”

Linc chuckled. “No better motivation than kicking a sibling’s ass.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.” I shifted on the pillows, still feeling a slight stab of pain as I did. “What are you doing here anyway? You didn’t have to escort us back to Seattle.”

Linc leaned back in his chair. “I actually got in yesterday. Came to look at some properties and meet with Shep.”

My brows rose in surprise. “You’re thinking about building here?”

“There’s something about the landscape. Those gold rock formations and imposing peaks. Felt like it might be somewhere good to have a spot.”

I guessed I shouldn’t have been all that surprised. Linc might be drowning in billions, but he was also a nature lover at heart, opting for an estate outside the city instead of some high-rise penthouse.

“You know you can stay here if you want,” I offered. “It’d be a hell of a lot better than finding a rental while you’re getting started on construction.”

“I might take you up on that,” Linc said.

“I just need to give Arden a heads-up since she looks out for things while I’m gone.”

He winced. “Heads-up might be a good idea since she almost killed me at our last little run-in.”

“She wha—?” My words were cut off by Sutton entering the room with a tray in hand.

“Time for lunch and meds before we head out.”

God, she was beautiful. Those turquoise eyes never dimmed their shine, no matter how surly I got over my recovery. She and Luca had stuck by my side every second of the process. And I’d lost count of the number of times I’d seen Mighty Ducks .

Linc pushed to his feet. “I’ll leave you to it, but I’ll be downstairs if you guys need any help with the bags.”

Sutton set the tray on the bed and moved to Linc, kissing his cheek. “Thank you for everything.”

“Always here for whatever you need,” he assured her, heading out.

Sutton turned back to me. “How’s the pain level?”

“Tylenol status,” I said, even though it was probably slightly out of that range.

She pinned me with a stare. “We’re going to be moving around a lot more than normal today. Even with Nora helping out, you’ll be pushing it.”

When the doctor had prescribed me opioids as a part of my recovery, I’d seen the fear in Sutton’s eyes. And I didn’t blame her. Those drugs had sent her last partner down a spiraling road that had nearly cost Sutton her life. So, I’d put her in charge of the medication and told the doctor as much.

“I want to avoid it as much as possible leading up to rehab. They’re going to kick my ass, and I know I’ll need the heavier stuff then.”

Sutton mulled that over for a moment. “How about we start with Tylenol? If you need the prescription at any point today, just say the word.”

“Deal. Now, come here.”

The moment Sutton was within grabbing distance, I tugged her down to the bed and took her mouth with mine. She moaned, and my dick twitched. Hell. I missed this. Missed her . If there was any motivation for getting back in shape, it was that.

The sound of a throat clearing made Sutton pull back and flush. Anson grinned from the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“Like hell you are,” I grumbled.

He laughed, still a bizarre sound to hear from the broody bastard. “I had some news I wanted to deliver in person.”

Sutton grabbed for my hand and held it tightly. “Petrov?”

“Yes,” Anson said, his expression hardening. “I heard from my contact at CID an hour ago. There was a multi-agency bust on Petrov’s entire organization this morning. Three enforcers turned state’s evidence. They’ve closed on multiple drug operations as well as a forced prostitution ring. All of them are going away for a long time, including Petrov.”

Tears glittered in Sutton’s eyes. “It’s for sure? They won’t be able to hurt Luca?”

Anson’s expression gentled. “Luca’s safe. And so are you.”

God, it felt good to finally hear that. I knew we’d gotten most of the way there with Marcus behind bars. The Washington State Police had found two decades’ worth of journals detailing his fixation on me. How his mind had grabbed hold of me as the reason for all his pain.

He’d been the one who leaked all the stories about me to the press. The one who’d dropped the anonymous accusation about The Mix Up to the health department. And also the one who hired someone to break into Sutton’s bakery to assault her, hoping she’d blame me for making her a target. Or better yet, I’d blame myself. But that guy would also be doing at least fifteen years for his role in it all.

Marcus had wanted to cause me pain in every way possible. And in many ways, he’d succeeded. But his actions had brought me back to Sparrow Falls, which gave me Sutton and Luca. I would never be sorry about that. I just wished Teddy hadn’t had to pay the ultimate price.

Sutton’s hand gripped mine tighter as she looked at Anson. “Thank you. I can’t imagine a better gift to get today.”

He shifted uncomfortably, not a fan of praise. “I’m just glad they got them.”

“Free cupcakes for life,” Sutton vowed.

Anson chuckled. “That, I’ll take.”

“Thanks, man,” I said, meeting his gaze so he knew how deeply I meant the words. “I owe you.”

“You don’t. This is family. We take care of each other.”

A different sort of pain slid through me. The good kind. The type that told me I belonged—that we all did. We might not be perfect, but we were always there for each other when we needed one another.

“Damn straight.”

“Nora said some bags need loading,” Anson said, sliding away from the emotion of the moment. “I’m gonna get to that before she threatens to withhold the lunch she just made.”

I chuckled. “Probably smart.”

He disappeared down the hallway, and Sutton turned to me. “We’re free.”

I brushed the hair out of her face. “We’re free.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“You know those words make me want to fuck you.”

Sutton laughed and patted the uninjured side of my chest. “A couple more weeks, Hotshot.”

I grinned at her. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got it marked on the calendar.”

“I’m sure you do.”

I pushed up higher against the pillows. “I know you said Anson’s news was the best present you could get today, but I’ve got a little something for you, too.”

Sutton’s brow quirked. “How do you have a present for me? You haven’t left the house.”

“I have my ways. Open the drawer on my nightstand. Papers first.”

Those sea glass eyes twinkled as she reached for the drawer. She stared down into the space. “Cope, there are three things in here.”

Just like I knew there would be.

“Papers first.”

Sutton tugged the corner of her lip between her teeth before reaching delicate fingers into the drawer. She pulled out some papers rolled together and tied with a turquoise ribbon, the closest color to her eyes Thea could find for me.

Sutton pulled on one end of the ribbon, letting it flutter to her lap. As the papers unrolled, she scanned their text. “The bakery building. You bought it? I own it?”

“Just like it always should’ve been. You’ve fought for this dream tooth and nail. You should own it all.” And now that that shyster Rick was about to go on trial for defrauding dozens, she wouldn’t see any blowback from that direction either.

The smile that stretched across her face hit me right in the chest. It was the most beautiful sort of pain. “Cope,” she whispered.

“The bigger box next.”

Sutton laughed. “So bossy. Isn’t an entire building enough?”

“Not even close,” I rasped.

Her expression gentled, and she took a breath before lifting the next present out of the drawer. This one was about the size of a deck of cards, only slightly thicker. She unwrapped the shimmery paper, revealing a jewelry box. Her throat worked as she swallowed. When the lid opened, she gasped.

“Cope.” My name was barely audible as tears gathered in Sutton’s eyes. Her fingers trembled as she lifted the gold piece from the box and opened the locket. “How? It’s my grandmother’s. Even the picture is the same. ”

“I got a PI referral from Anson. He searched every pawn shop Roman was known to frequent. Finally found the one he sold it to and bribed the owner for the address of the woman who’d bought it. Then, he offered her triple what she’d paid. But when she heard the story, she gave it to him for free. Wanted you to have it back.”

Tears streamed down Sutton’s face. “I can’t—I—this is too much.”

“Stick with me, Warrior. There’s one more. Last box.”

She let out a shuddering breath before reaching into the drawer one last time. She knew when she saw it. Dark-blue velvet. A ring box. Her gaze flew to mine.

“Open it,” I whispered.

Sutton flipped the lid but did so with her eyes on me, not losing my gaze for a single second. When she finally looked down, the tears came faster. The ring nestled in the box was an oval diamond surrounded by turquoise sapphires that reminded me of Sutton’s eyes.

I lifted the box out of her hands. “Marry me. Make us a family. You, me, and Luca. Give us forever.”

She was already nodding. “Yes. You didn’t ask, but yes.”

I chuckled as I slid the ring onto her finger, leaning up so my mouth could meet hers. “I love you.”

“Forever,” Sutton whispered against my lips.

“Now, can you be my dad?” a little voice cut in.

Sutton pulled back, her face wet. She glanced back at me, giving me the ultimate gift, the chance to give this to the kid who’d stolen my heart right along with her. And after everything he’d been through, being his dad would be that much more precious a role.

“Never going to have a better job than being your dad,” I told Luca.

He flew at us. Running and jumping onto the bed. I didn’t give a damn about the flare of pain because I had what I’d always wanted, what I’d always needed, and that would never change.